Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for August 2026

Centennial’s Alvarez, Ankeny’s Brown race to victories at Jaguar Early Bird Invite

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Jax Alvarez of Ankeny Centennial and Gus Brown of Ankeny didn't put much pressure on themselves heading into Tuesday's season-opening cross country meet. The duo responded with a pair of boys' victories in the Jaguar Early Bird Invitational at DMACC. Alvarez, a senior, pulled away from the field to win the 11/12 race in a time of 15 minutes 53 seconds. … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Alvarez, Ankeny’s Brown race to victories at Jaguar Early Bird Invite

‘My team did really well’: Centennial girls edge No. 1 Wolves to win Jaguar Invite

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A showdown between the top two girls' cross country teams in Class 4A lived up to the hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial opened its season on Tuesday by edging No. 1 Waukee Northwest to win the Jaguar Early Bird Invitational at DMACC. The Jaguars scored 41 points when the results of the two races were merged, while Northwest--the defending state … [Read more...] about ‘My team did really well’: Centennial girls edge No. 1 Wolves to win Jaguar Invite

Centennial girls earn road victory over Rams, will face Hawkettes on Thursday

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team earned a 10-1 road victory at Southeast Polk on Tuesday to keep the Rams winless on the season. The Jaguars got at least one win from every player in the varsity lineup. They improved to 1-2 in the CIML Conference and 2-5 overall, while Southeast Polk's records fell to 0-3 and 0-6. "Tonight was a great night of … [Read more...] about Centennial girls earn road victory over Rams, will face Hawkettes on Thursday

‘It was a beautiful day for tennis’: Ankeny girls fall to Waukee NW on Senior Night

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team was simply overmatched on Tuesday. But the Hawkettes aren't the only team that has felt that way against Waukee Northwest. The visiting Wolves posted an 11-0 victory over Ankeny for their third consecutive shutout. They improved to 3-0 in the CIML Conference, while the Hawkettes fell to 1-2 in the league and 3-3 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a beautiful day for tennis’: Ankeny girls fall to Waukee NW on Senior Night

Ankeny football team reloads around 4 returning starters, influx of transfers

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On paper, the Ankeny football team appeared to be facing a rebuilding season after suffering heavy losses to graduation last spring. Ankeny coach Jeff Bauer is hoping that isn't the case. "We only have four starters back, so there's not a lot of people thinking we are going to be all that," said Bauer. "But there's a lot of young talent on this team … [Read more...] about Ankeny football team reloads around 4 returning starters, influx of transfers

‘We’re excited to see what we can do’: Jaguars to host S.E. Polk in Friday’s opener

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In recent years, the Ankeny Centennial football team has produced several Division I players. Easton Miller and Connor Welsch are on Iowa State's roster, while Braeden Jackson plays for Iowa. Brothers Elijah and Trey Porter are teammates at Northern Illinois. "It's really a compliment to our staff and to the program," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to see what we can do’: Jaguars to host S.E. Polk in Friday’s opener

‘Everyone’s excited to get racing’: Jaguars hope to build off 3rd-place finish at state

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Can the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team keep the positive momentum going from last year's state meet? That's the question facing the Jaguars heading into the 2026 season. Last year, coach Chad Fickbohm's squad peaked at the perfect time. After dropping to 12th in the final Class 4A rankings from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone’s excited to get racing’: Jaguars hope to build off 3rd-place finish at state

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kinnick Nelson, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

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Senior Kinnick Nelson shot a 73 to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team to a sixth-place finish in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Wednesday at Briarwood Golf Club. He tied for 14th place overall. Nelson is one of four returning varsity regulars this season for Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. He posted a 40.7 average for nine holes as a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kinnick Nelson, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

‘I think 5A is going to be wild’: Jags look to make another deep postseason run

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team got over a big hurdle by advancing to the Class 5A championship match for the first time since 2018. Taking the next step and winning a state title will be an even bigger challenge. CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest enters the season as the favorite to capture its third crown in four years. The … [Read more...] about ‘I think 5A is going to be wild’: Jags look to make another deep postseason run

Hawkettes beat Marshalltown, S.E. Polk; fall to Indianola at Ankeny Quadrangular

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team defeated two of its three opponents in the Ankeny Quadrangular on Friday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Hawkettes posted an 8-3 win over Marshalltown and a 7-4 victory over Southeast Polk, defeating the Rams for the second time in two days. On Thursday, coach Katie Owens' squad had posted a 6-5 triumph at Southeast Polk in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes beat Marshalltown, S.E. Polk; fall to Indianola at Ankeny Quadrangular

‘Today was a challenging meet’: Jaguars drop 11-0 decision to Dowling girls

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Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson tried to look on the bright side. Although the Jaguars dropped an 11-0 decision to visiting Dowling Catholic on Thursday, Gustafson was proud of her team's effort against one of the state's top squads. "Today was a challenging meet against a very strong Dowling team," Gustafson said. "While the … [Read more...] about ‘Today was a challenging meet’: Jaguars drop 11-0 decision to Dowling girls

No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

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Coming off a semifinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament, the Ankeny volleyball team appears to be primed for another deep postseason run in 2026. The Hawkettes return a pair of all-staters and some other key players from a team that posted a 28-9 record a year ago. "The practices have been real productive," said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

Ankeny girls win No. 2 doubles match to earn 6-5 win at S.E. Polk, even mark at 1-1

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Thursday's girls' tennis meet between Ankeny and Southeast Polk came down to the final match. The visiting Hawkettes eventually won the No. 2 doubles match to post a 6-5 victory over the Rams. They evened their record at 1-1 in the CIML Conference, while Southeast Polk dropped to 0-2 in the league. "We had some awesome matches, and the girls played … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls win No. 2 doubles match to earn 6-5 win at S.E. Polk, even mark at 1-1

‘Our goals remain the same’: Hawks have high aspirations despite young squad

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For the second year in a row, the Ankeny boys' cross country team will have to rebuild after losing its top runner to graduation. Isaiah Smith qualified for last year's Class 4A state meet as an individual and placed 27th in a time of 16:01.5. He was a four-time state qualifier who earned a spot on the awards podium as a sophomore in 2023, when he took … [Read more...] about ‘Our goals remain the same’: Hawks have high aspirations despite young squad

MIDDLE OF THE PACK: Jaguars place 6th, Hawks finish 7th at Jesse Peck Invitational

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The Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny boys' golf teams finished in the middle of the pack at the Jesse Peck Invitational on Wednesday. Playing on their home course at Briarwood Golf Club, the Jaguars placed sixth in the 12-team field with a 306 total. The top five teams all broke 300, including three squads that finished under par. "We had four triple … [Read more...] about MIDDLE OF THE PACK: Jaguars place 6th, Hawks finish 7th at Jesse Peck Invitational

Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its preseason volleyball rankings on Wednesday. Ankeny is No. 3 in Class 5A behind defending state champion Waukee Northwest and Iowa City West. Ankeny Centennial is No. 10. In Class 1A, Ankeny Christian Academy is No. 4. The Eagles are ranked behind defending state runner-up Janesville, Wapsie … [Read more...] about Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

Ankeny girls’ tennis team opens season with 11-0 loss to conference rival Valley

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped an 11-0 decision to visiting Valley in its season opener on Tuesday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Hawkettes were one of the last two squads in the CIML Conference to begin their season. Defending Class 2A state champion Waukee Northwest was slated to play at Dowling Catholic in its opener on Tuesday. Valley, … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ tennis team opens season with 11-0 loss to conference rival Valley

Centennial golfers place 12th at Warrior Invite, will host Peck Invite Wednesday

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team opened its season on Monday with a 12th-place finish in the Warrior Invitational at Glen Oaks Country Club. The Jaguars posted five scores in the 80s and finished with a team total of 331. Kinnick Nelson led the squad with a 78, but was disqualified for not turning in his scorecard. Centennial would have placed … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 12th at Warrior Invite, will host Peck Invite Wednesday